Backlit wedding venue - lighting options

MarkE

MarkE

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Hi all,

I'm photographing a wedding at a country house in Scotland for a couple of friends in a few weeks time. Their first preference is for the ceremony to be outside, but given this is Scotland in September, their backup plan is an upstairs lounge.

It's a big white room, so bounce flash should be OK, but I suspect they'll want to conduct the service with them stood in front of big bay windows at the end of the room:

http://www.balinakillcountryhouse.com/wp-content/gallery/first-floor/white-room2-version-2.jpg

Which leaves me the dilemma of balancing backlight from the windows with flash light from inside. I have a few ideas but I was wondering if anyone had any bright (pun intended) suggestions on what you would do in similar circumstances?

Thanks in advance,
Mark
 
Hi Mark,

Have you thought you may not be allowed to use flash throughout the ceremony, as this is usually the case.

If you can't (speak to registrar when they arrive) ask if you can stand at the front or pull curtains across the window.

Lyn
 
You want to be in front of the couple anyway, that's where I stand for the ceremony, otherwise you're shooting their backs through the important bits. Is this not an option?
 
Thanks. I already know flash is OK. It's going to be a non-religious, fairly laid-back service so I do have a bit of latitude to influence things a bit.

To be at the front, while this would put the light behind me, it'd put me pretty much front and centre with the couple and the minister, and I prefer to try and keep out of the way.

I'm working under the assumption at the moment, to be confirmed, that the minister will have them in front of the windows facing the guests and I'll be towards the back. I'm thinking an umbrella'd flash on a light stand, just in front of where they'll be standing, for side lighting and just balance that with light from the window behind.

Depending on how big the room is, I reckon I can probably get enough bounce flash in from the on-camera speedlite too.

Just curious if anyone would do things differently?
 
Well I've done a fair few weddings, and I'd say I can stand 'at the front' fairly inconspicuously, but I can't shoot with a soft box without becoming the centre of attention.

But it's your choice, you clearly know exactly what you're doing. :thumbs:
 
Phil V said:
You want to be in front of the couple anyway, that's where I stand for the ceremony, otherwise you're shooting their backs through the important bits. Is this not an option?
Click to expand...

or they might stand facing each other most of the time. If flash is OK it should work from the back.

Phil V said:
Well I've done a fair few weddings, and I'd say I can stand 'at the front' fairly inconspicuously, but I can't shoot with a soft box without becoming the centre of attention.

But it's your choice, you clearly know exactly what you're doing. :thumbs:
Click to expand...

some flowers for camouflage and extra bokeh?
 
I'd be at the front. Unless I was explicitly told not to be. In which case I'd put a remote camera at the front.

Don't know about Scottish rules but in England there are very few bits where the couple face the audience. Very few shots of backs of heads tend to make it into the album.

But Scotland in September is unlikely to be that bright anyway. Spot meter and let the edges bleed. It's all the rage.
 
[Forum duped my post. Wasn't me, honest.]
 
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No Scottish rules. Some face front, some face each other, some face the mob. Mostly though tend to face the front so the winfow gets tbe best view. Normally face each other or towards the mob for the ring exchange and kiss. We have one front one back
 
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